Episode 30 - Why We Should Rewrite History

We’ve made it all the way to 30 episodes! Can you believe it?? In today’s episode, we’re looking at why we should rewrite history, discussing the fact that history is biased and unreliable, how we can still interpret important historical context despite this fact, and what history has to do with us living in today’s society.

The two main issues we’re covering today: history is unreliable, and we’re only taught a very narrow view of the past

Key Message: “The historical memory of a community is its identity. And if for reasons of neglect, ignorance or malice a community’s history is trivialized or dismissed, this constitutes an assault on the identity of those who would comprise it.” - Bohdan Kordan

Some of the questions we’re considering today:

• Why is history important?
• Why is the fact that history is unreliable so important?
• What are some major events that we aren’t taught in school?
• How do we know history is only taught from one perspective?
• How does that impact our lives in the present?
• Why isn’t removing statues rewriting history?

Further Resources:

• Righting Historical Wrongs Written by Bohdan Kordan
• Why is History Important? An Overview For the Reluctant Learner
• New discoveries that proved we got history wrong
• Alex Rosenberg in How History Gets Things Wrong
• Statues are not history’: considering the removal of Sir John A. Macdonald

Like us on Facebook and Instagram @tomstuandyou or send us an email at hi@tomstuandyou.com with any questions, comments, thoughts, or queries you have on the topics we’ve discussed or any suggestions of topics you’d like to hear us address.

Thanks so much for your support!